Biju Janata Dal (BJD) President Naveen Patnaik has announced a series of key appointments to strengthen the party’s organisational structure, focusing on empowering women leaders and reinforcing district-level leadership.
Snehangini Chhuria has been reappointed as the President of Biju Mahila Janata Dal (BMJD), the women’s wing of the party, with immediate effect, signalling continuity and trust in her leadership.
To further bolster the women’s wing, Sumitra Jena, Rajashree Mallick, and Lekhasri Samantsinghar have been named Senior General Secretaries (Women Affairs). Additionally, fifteen General Secretaries (Women Affairs) were appointed, including prominent leaders such as Sulochana Das, Sulata Deo, Barsha Singh Bariha, Sarmistha Sethi, Shreemayee Mishra, Lopamudra Buxipatra, Minati Behera, Kasturi Mohapatra, Padmini Dian, Dipali Das, Ranjita Sahu, and Gitanjali Bastia. These appointments reflect BJD’s commitment to promoting gender diversity and grassroots leadership within the party.
At the district level, significant changes were also announced. Nrusingha Charan Sahu has been appointed as the District President of Dhenkanal, with Sandip Sarangi as the Working President. In Koraput, Jhina Hikaka takes charge as District President, supported by Working Presidents Durga Mishra and Prasad Bidika. Jagannath Saraka has been named District President of Rayagada, with Gayadhar Pualo and Ranjit Panigrahi appointed as Working Presidents.
These appointments come as part of Naveen Patnaik’s strategy to rejuvenate the party’s organisational framework, ensuring robust representation across Odisha. Political analysts view this move as an effort to consolidate BJD’s influence ahead of future electoral challenges, with a strong emphasis on women’s leadership and regional representation.
